Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Tutshi, Wheaton, White Pass East, White Pass West, Yukon.
As the alpine snowpack gradually builds up, exercise caution on steep slopes, as cohesive wind and storm slabs may be primed for human-triggering.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
A small slab avalanche was triggered by skiers on Tuesday, just outside the forecast region, detailed in this report.
If you do head out, do so with a cautious and investigative mindset, and let us know what you're seeing by submitting a MIN report.
Snowpack Summary
The snowpack remains shallow at lower elevations with open creeks, esposed rocks, and plenty of early-season hazards.
However, reports suggest that much more snow has accumulated in alpine terrain during the recent warm stormy weather. A crust is buried anywhere from 0 to 50 cm depending on your location's wind exposure. A robust crust has been reported near the base of the snowpack.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy with no precipitation, south alpine winds 30 to 50km/h, treeline temperature -10 °C.
Thursday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, south alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -8 °C.
Friday
Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow, south alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with trace amounts of snow, south alpine wind 30 to 40 km/h, treeline temperature -12 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
In exposed, steep terrain surface slabs may be gaining cohesion and primed to be triggered.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2